No conflict of interest in Navjot Singh Sidhu doing TV shows says Punjab advocate general

In a major relief to the newly inducted Minister of tourism in Punjab and Cultural Affairs Navjot Singh Sidhu, the advocate general of Punjab Atul Nanda on Thursday said that there is no conflict of interest between Sidhu’s office as state cabinet minister and his work on television shows.

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh that he has received the report of the advocate general on the issue, according to Raveen Thukral, media adviser to the chief minister.

In the circumstances, the chief minister said, there was no hindrance now to Sidhu’s continuation on TV shows, nor any need to change his Culture portfolio.

ALSO READ | Kapil Sharma-Sunil Grover fiasco: Navjot Singh Sidhu to become a mediator

In the opinion of advocate general, there was no violation of the Constitution of India, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, or the Code of Conduct in this case. As per the advocate general’s opinion, Sidhu “faces no legal bar in continuing with his work on the show.”

“There is no conflict of interest between his work on the show and his office and discharge of duties as the minister of local government, tourism, cultural affairs, archives and museums for the state of Punjab,” the four-page report of the advocate general further concludes, precluding the need for any change in the culture portfolio of Sidhu, said Thukral.

ALSO READ | Navjot Singh Sidhu TV show row: Punjab CM Amarinder Singh says he can do television if it's main source of income

Going by the Constitution, the report concluded that the role and function of celebrity judge on the show is not an office of profit under the government of India/ the state government. It is not even an office under the government of India/ state government, it further said, adding, “Hence the continuation of such work would not invite the disqualification of holding of an office of profit within the meaning of Article 191(1).”